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Central Catholic grad never missed a day

By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent

Updated:
05/24/2014 06:58:13 AM EDT

Central Catholic High School graduates take an impromptu group selfie while waiting for the procession to start. Clockwise, from left, are Caitlin Dellofano of North Andover, Danielle Dellapaolera of Groveland, Cody Demers of Dracut, Olivia Dello Russo of Wilmington and Emilie Cuticchia. SUN / Julia Malakie

LAWRENCE -- Wearing her blue cap and gown adorned by a red tassel, Brooke Patterson of Tewksbury looked just like every other Central Catholic High School graduating senior on Friday night.

She walked up the same handful of steps, took the same eight steps across the stage, received her diploma, and then walked down a handful of steps to rejoin her classmates.

Classmates including valedictorian Leszek Krol of Methuen, who will attend Harvard University, and who gave "shout-outs" to classmates who had asked him to mention them in his speech and closed with a "slam poem" that used skydiving as a metaphor for their journey to graduation.

Brooke Patterson, of Tewksbury, never missed a day of school from the time she began kindergarten in the fall of 2001. SUN / ED HANNAN

"You're not sure where you'll land, but you know it will be somewhere new, full of adventure, potential and wonder, as the air rushes past your face, you smile and enjoy the descent," Krol said.

Or salutatorian Kylie Regan of Atkinson, N.H., who said: "Tonight, we celebrate our accomplishments and invite our loved ones and educators to join in. Dwell in this current moment, because you just may be wishing for it back someday."

But make no mistake about it, Patterson stood alone among the 301 graduating seniors who earned more than $12 million in scholarships, including 58 from Greater Lowell, 27 of which came from Tewksbury.

She never missed a day of school. Ever.

Not just in her senior year.

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Not just in her four years at Central Catholic.

Ever.

Patterson never missed a day of school from the day she entered kindergarten in the fall of 2001 through 8:04 p.m. Friday when she collected her diploma.

Thirteen straight years without a sick day.

Thirteen straight years without playing hooky with friends.

Thirteen straight years without a case of senioritis.

Oh, there were times Patterson got to school a little late or had to leave early for a doctor's appointment. She's only human.

But only twice did Patterson even come close to missing a day of school.

"One time in the sixth grade, I got really sick and woke up in the middle of the night sweating," she said Friday night outside Central Catholic before the commencement exercises. "I hoped when I woke up the next morning I wouldn't be sick, but I was still sick in the morning. My Mom pushed me to go to school and I made it through the day."

The second time came just last week with the passing of Patterson's grandmother. It happened a week ago Tuesday and the wake was a week ago Friday night.

"She lived with me for a majority of my life," Patterson said of her grandmother. "Going through that and not missing school was really difficult. I came so close, but I knew she wouldn't want me to miss it. She would say, 'You're crazy if you think you're missing school for me.' I can hear it now. That was the closest I came to missing school because she was such a huge part of my life. She was one of my best friends. Losing her was difficult, but I had to think she wanted me to go to school."

Patterson got through elementary school without thinking about her consecutive days streak.

"My Mom always pushed me to do it and once I started, I couldn't stop. It was a great accomplishment and it motivated me to keep going. Once I got through eight years, I couldn't stop. I got this far, why not complete it? It's a great feeling to have. Not many people are able to do it or even say they're able to do it."

If you're thinking Patterson, who will attend Coastal Carolina University this fall to study marine science, is a school nut, well, she's still got a little typical teenager in her.

"My friends are there. The teachers are great, so it's something I look forward to, but I'm not like, 'Yay, let's go to school.'"

Could Patterson get through four years of college without missing a day?

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